Sulphuric acid price is up to Rs 1,500 per metric tonne (mt) from Rs 900 per mt quoted in mid Oct-November last, a rise of around 70 per cent. The major use of sulphuric acids is in the manufacture of fertilisers, pesticides, pigments, detergents, petochemicals, dyes and dye intermediates.

Local chemical traders say during mid October-November sulphuric acid prices were down, due to over supply in the market and coupled with non-regular suppliers like Birla Copper and others of this acid, were pouring their surplus stock in the market. But now its feedstock sulphuric's booking is negligible in the international market. This has affected the price of sulphuric acid.

According to Nath Industrial Chemicals general manager (marketing) OA Khandelwal, sulphuric acid prices are up due to less supplies. Besides this on the international front, sulphuric prices are increasing, which is feedstock for SA. And currently its price is $45 per tonne. Since SA is majorly used in fertilisers and pesticides, both these industires will be affected by the high prices.

Oleum's 65 per cent prices are also up by around 50 per cent and it is currently being traded at Rs 2,500 per tonne from Rs 1,700 per tonne in mid Oct-November. Major uses of Oleums 65 per cent among others is in H-acid, K-acid, Gama Acid, Metanilic Acid, Resist Salts, drugs and dyes intermediates, Ion exchnage resins and pigments. Among the major manufacturers of Oleums 65 per cent in India are: Divya Chemicals, Nath Chemicals, Aarti Chemicals and Mardia Chemicals. Mr Khandelwal says short supply of this chemical has created a rise in prices, but as soon as normal supply starts in the market, then prices will come down, which is likely from the end of this month.